Desert Island Beauty Bag: What Would Ellen Kavanagh Bring?

Entrepreneur and IMAGE Business of Beauty Awards nominee, Ellen Kavanagh, is going on a hypothetical trip to a beautiful desert island. She can bring as many (or as few) beauty products as she likes – providing they don’t exceed her €100 budget! So what will the waxing expert choose? 

Waxperts Wonder Pads, €9.99

“The holy grail of multitasking. They contain salyclic acid so are super for any spots, lumps, bumps, bites or prickly heat,” Ellen says. Salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory properties so can reduce any redness or itchy insect bites Ellen may incur on the island. The Wonder Pads also contain rosemary leaf extract, which helps to soothe irritated skin, while the panthenol ingredient moisturises the skin. “They just do so much – we’re constantly being told new uses for them by customers. Every home should have some.”

IMAGE Prevention Daily Ultimate Protection Moisturiser SPF 50, €47.40

 “SPF is obviously essential in all weather,” Ellen says. “Image Skincare is a brand I adore and have been using loyally for the past five years.” This is a broad spectrum SPF, providing protection from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis, your skin’s thickest layer, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. UVB rays, on the other hand, usually burn the top layers of your skin and play a key role in the development of skin cancer. By using this factor 50 SPF, Ellen is giving her skin the best protection from the hot island sun. Not only that, it’s water resistant so won’t wear off from sweat or swimming.

Benefit Galafornia blusher, €34

“I’m obsessed with blusher. It’s my most favourite beauty product so it’s nearly impossible to choose only one… But I think Benefit’s Galafonia is a nice one.” This golden pink blush will give Ellen a sun-kissed look with none of the sun damage. With a built-in mirror, she can apply it easily on the go.

Total so far €91.49… anything else you’d like to add, Ellen?

“With the €8.51 left over, it would have to be a toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant on special offer from somewhere!” How about: Colgate Slim Soft Ultra Compact Toothbrush, €3.49, Colgate Total Healthy Clean Travel Toothpaste 25ml, €1.79, and Dove Go Fresh Cucumber Deodorant 150ml, €1.99?

Total spend €98.76 – right within budget!

But, as we all know, beauty isn’t everything. So if Ellen could bring just one additional luxury item, she says she’d bring, “My husband and child! Okay, they’re not exactly ‘items’ but I’d be lost without them. Or else I’d bring a pair of really nice sandals.”

Last week on Desert Island Beauty Bag, Jennifer Rock AKA The Skin Nerd chose her must-have desert island items.

The week before that, Indy Power from The Little Green Spoon revealed what she’d bring on a desert island trip!